Loom check strap construction



Aug. 8, 1961 o. CARTER LOOM CHECK STRAP CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1959 mnkw T R mm 2 A C L a T O ATTORNEYS g- 1961 o. L. CARTER 2,995,152

LOOM CHECK STRAP CONSTRUCTION Filed July 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OTIS L. CART E-E, INVENTOR ATTORNE/YS 2,995,152 LOOM CHECK STRAP CONSTRUCTION Otis L. Carter, Greenville, S.C., assignor t Slip-Not Belting Corporation, Kingsport, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Filed July 29, 1959, Ser. No. 830,290 1 Claim. (Cl. 139-161) This invention relates to checking devices for loom picker Sticks and, more especially, to an improved loom check strap construction.

In the manufacture of check straps for looms, consideration must be given to operation efficiency, economy of installation, maintenance and durability, as well as economy of manufacture. Prior check straps generally comprise one or more elongated, double-ended thicknesses, plies, or sections of pliable material, such as leather, leather combined with fabric, or the like. Opposed end portions of the sections were either provided with lateral holes through the thickness of the material, and which holes were penetrated by bolts to secure the same to the check strap support, or they had separate U-shaped loop members attached to either or both opposed ends thereof, each by means of two or more rivets, the loop members being mounted on pins or shafts carried by the support.

The prior type of check strap having lateral holes through the thickness of the end portions of the strap material could be manufactured inexpensively, but since it had to be rigidly attached to the check strap support, the strap could not swing freely relative to the support. This meant that the picker stick applied excessive force to the end portions of the check strap immediately adjacent their supports. In other words, instead of flexing the rounded seat portions of the check strap uniformly adjacent its opposed ends, the check strap was bent rather sharply adjacent each end portion thereof as the picker stick engaged the opposite rounded portion or stick seat of the check strap.

The latter defects are obviated to a substantial extent when using the prior art check strap whose double-ended sections had separate U-shaped loop members riveted thereto, since opposed ends of the check strap were then pivotally mounted on the support. However, while a check strap is in use, it is deformed, by the impacts of the picker stick thereagainst, so that opposed seat portions of the strap, engaged by the picker stick, extend at angles conforming to the angles occupied by the picker stick at opposed ends of its strokes. Accordingly, the big'nts of the loop members had to be sufiiciently spaced from the respective end edges of the strap body to Permit the loop members to rock to and fro on the respective pivot pins of the support to at least partially compensate for changes in angularity of the strap.

Also, each time the picker stick engaged each rounded seat portion of the strap body, this would place excessive stress upon the strap body and the upper portions of the respective loop members. Since looms must operate under substantial humidity, the strap would weaken at the points at which the rivets passed through the same between the legs of the U-shaped loop members. Thus, the rivets would enlarge the holes in the check strap body or the loop members, or both.

The enlargement of the latter holes combined with the necessary looseness of the loop members on the respective support pins of the prior checking devices would cause the check strap to flop around and fail to operate in a smooth even manner to produce a favorable checking action. This has required frequent adjustment of the picker stick check and frequent replacement of worn check straps with new check straps. Further, the latter type of check strap construction has in- Faitented Aug. 8, 1961 2 cluded a substantial number of individual parts which had to be assembled and riveted together and, thus, they were relatively expensive to manufacture.

It is, therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved check strap construction, having opposed end portions adapted to be mounted on a check strap support to form a picker stick check for a loom, which check strap construction comprises an elongated pliable body including two elongated body sections whose fiat proximal sides are secured together in juxtaposition. Each section is provided with an extension on at least one end thereof which is separated from the extension of the other section and the outer end portions of said extensions are interconnected, either by being formed integral with each other or by being secured together, to form a loop portion at, at least, one end portion of the check strap, which loop portion is integral with the two sections forming the body of the check strap.

It is another object of this invention to provide a check strap comprising a body having a plurality of superposed and interconnected plies, with certain of said plies being separated adjacent to, but spaced from, at least one of the end portions of the check strap to thus form a loop for receiving a pin or stud on a corresponding check strap support of a picker stick check.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a check strap construction of the character dmcribed in which the plies, with the separated end portion thereof, comprise an endless belt.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a check strap construction of the character described in which the body of the check strap is formed of two opposed folds of a double-ended strap member or pliable body and wherein the folds are separated immediately adjacent the bight of the folds to form a loop thereat, while substantial remaining portions of the folds or sections are secured together.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a check strap of the character last described in which the other ends of the folds, opposite from the bight of the body are also separated for a portion of their length and are secured together at their extreme ends to also form a loop portion thereat. I

It is another object of this invention to provide a check strap construction in which the body sections are in the form of two independent single or multi-ply strap members with means securing their proximal surfaces in juxtaposition, both end portions of the body sections being provided with respective extensions which are separated and then secured together at their extreme distal ends to form respective loops at opposite end portions of the check strap construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a check strap construction in the form of an endless spirally wound strap member having medial portions of opposed runs secured together for a substantial portion of the length of the check strap construction, with opposed end portions of the strap member remaining separated to form respective loop portions thereat.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a picker stick check of the character described wherein the support for the check strap comprises a body having three or more spaced ears on either or both ends thereof and corresponding ends of a check strap construction, constructed in the manner of any one of the preceding check strap constructions, are each provided with a slit or slot at either or both ends thereof which extends longitudinally of the check strap and separates the corresponding loop portion or portions of the check strap into a plurality of loop segments adapted to fit between adjacent ears on the check strap support.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co;

3 pending United States application entitled Loom Picker Stick Check, Serial No. 818,584, filed June 8, 1959.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects willappear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-- FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the primary elements of a picker stick check for looms, which primary elements include a first form of the improved check strap construction;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the first form of check strap construction as manufactured and distributed in a flat condition, this form comprising an endless belt type of construction in which each reach thereof includes a plurality of plies;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view similar to FIGURE 2 showing a second form of endless belt construction in which the belt may be of single ply construction;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of a third form of the improved check strap construction wherein the check strap is in the form of a folded, double-ended strap member having medial portions of the runs of the check strap, as well as corresponding extreme end portions thereof secured together to form loops at both end portions of the check strap construction;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the check strap of FIGURE 4 mounted on a check strap suppom;

FIGURE 6 is an isometric View similar to FIGURE 2 showing a fourth form of the improved check strap which comprises a pair of independent straps whose medial portion are secured together for a substantial length thereof, and whose extreme end portions are also secured together to form loops at opposed end portions of the check strap;

FIGURE 7 is an isometric view similar to FIGURE 6 showing a fifth form of the invention in which the check strap is in the form of an endless pliable member constructed from a spirally Wound belt, with medial portions of the runs thereof being interconnected in parallel juxtaposition, and extensions on opposed end portions of the body sections thereof being separated to form loops thereat;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic illustration showing a manner in which the belt may be spirally Wound in the initial stages of formation of the check strap of FIGURE 7 FIGURE 10 is an isometric view similar to FIGURE 6 showing a sixth form of the invention which is quite similar to the third form of the invention, but wherein the loop at the extreme free end portions of the folds of the check strap is omitted and a lateral hole is provided through the thickness of the latter end portions of the check strap;

FIGURE ll is an isometric view similar to FIGURE 5 showing a particular type of check strap support on which the check strap of FIGURE 10 may be mounted.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and to FIGURE 1, in particular, portions of a loom picker stick check embodying the first form of the improved check strap construction are shown, the check strap being broadly designated at and being mounted on a check strap support broadly designated at 21. As is well known, check strap support 21 is suitably suspended from the lay of a loom and a picker stick, not shown, oscillates between check strap 20 and support 21 for receiving and imparting movement to a shuttle, not shown, movable upon the lay of the loom. Since the parts with which the elements of FIGURE 1 may be associated are well known in the art, and may be substantially as disclosed in my co-pend-ing application Serial No. 818,584, filed June 8, 1959 and entitled Loom Picker Stick Check, a further detailed description and illustration of such parts is deemed unnecessary.

Check strap support 21 is also of a type disclosed in said co-pending application and comprises a relatively flat and relatively thin body 22 provided with an elongated, substantially horizontal slot 29 for reception of a bolt to secure the body 22 to the usual hanger, not shown, carried by the lay. Body 22 has vertically spaced pairs of upper and lower cars 23, 24 and 25, 26 projecting outwardly and partially rearwardly from opposite ends thereof. Ears 23, 24 and 25', 26 have respective intermediate ears 27, 28 spaced therebetween.

Intermediate ears 27, 28 may be of substantially the same shape as the respective cars 23' through 26 and are also formed integral with opposed ends of body 22. Although a single intermediate ear is shown between each pair of upper and lower cars, it is apparent that additional ears may be provided between each pair of upper and lower ears, as disclosed in said co-pending application, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Bars 23, 24, 27, and 25, 26, 28 support respective pivot pins on which corresponding end portions of check strap 20 are adapted to be mounted, as will be presently described. In this instance, said pins are shown in the form of bolts 31, 32, only the heads of which are shown in solid lines and the bodies or shanks of which are shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the first form of check strap 21 is made from an endless belt of multi-ply construction, to the extent that it includes a plurality of superposed layers, laminations or convolutions of fabric, leather or other pliable web material generally indicated at 35, said layers being suitably secured together by an adhesive or any other suitable means. An endless belt of this character is pressed together at its medial portions to form opposed reaches or runs 36, 37 serving as opposed body sections which collectively, form the body of check strap 20. Body sections 36, 37 are elongated and interconnected substantially throughout their length by an adhesive or other suitable means. However, opposed end portions of the check strap body sections have separated extensions whose outer or distal portions are integrally interconnected to thus form closed loop portions 48, 41 extending from body sections 36, 37 at opposed end portions of check strap 20.

Stated in another way, the proximal plies 35 of the two body sections 36, 37 are adhesively or otherwise suitably secured together in juxtaposition, and the loop portions on opposed end portions of check strap 20 are formed by leaving separate corresponding end portions of a certain pair of immediately adjacent plies 35.

Due to the fact that the walls of loop portions 40, 41 are of substantially less thickness than the body formed of the two body sections 36, 37, a suitable reinforcing sleeve or liner may be provided within each of the loop portions 40, 41. The sleeves are respectively indicated at 42, 43. The sleeves 42, 43 are preferably made from the same type of material as that of which plies 35 are made and may be adhesively or otherwise secured in loop portions 40, 41. However, it is contemplated that a suitable metallic bearing material or plastic material may be used for sleeves 42, 43.

In order to lend yieldability and flexibility to loop portions 40, 41, they are preferably split or slotted at 44, 45 longitudinally of check strap 28 so as to form respective loop segments 46, 47 and 50, 51. Although it is not entirely necessary, the body sections of each embodiment of the invention may be reinforcingly secured together adjacent the respective loop portions. For example, check strap 26 is secured together by rivets 52 adjacent each loop portion 40, 41. From the foregoing, it is apparent that the check strap 20 is pivotally mounted on support 21 by pins 31, 32 extending through the respective loop portions 40, 41, with the loop segments 46, 47 being disposed between the respective cars 23, 24 and intermediate car 27. Of course, loop segments 50, 51 are positioned between respective ears 25, 26 and intermediate car 28.-

The second form of the improved check strap construction shown in FIGURE 3 is quite similar to the first form shown in FIGURE 2 and, accordingly, those parts shown in FIGURE 3 will bear the same reference characters as similar parts shown in FIGURE 2 with the letter a added. The body of check strap 20a differs from that of FIGURE 2 in that the two body sections 36a, 37a are each made from a relatively thick, single-ply, pliable material, such as leather. Also, loop portions 40a, 41a are solid throughout their height; that is, they are not separated into segments in the manner of the loop portions 40, 41 of the first form of the invention. Suitable reinforcing sleeves or liners 42a, 43a may be adhesively or otherwise secured in the respective loop portions 40a, 41a. Since the loop portions 40a, 41a of the second form of check strap 20a shown in FIGURE 3 are solid, intermediate ears, such as 27, 28 in FIGURE 1, may be omitted from the support for check strap 20a.

The proximal faces of body sections 36a, 37a may be interconnected through an elongated intervening stiffener or reinforcing strap 53. Stiffener strap 53 may be of substantially the same length as body sections 36a, 37a, and opposed sides or faces of stiffener strap 53 may be adhesively or otherwise secured to the proximal sides or faces of body sections 36a, 37a. Stiffener strap 53 strengthens and increases the inherent rigidity of the body of the check strap without destroying or impeding the yieldability and flexibility of loop portions 40a, 40b. In all other respects, the second form of check strap 20a is substantially the same as the first form of check strap 20 and, accordingly, a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The remaining forms of the invention may be of laminated or multi-ply or single ply construction as exemplified in the respective FIGURES 2 and 3, although the individual strap members forming each of the check straps shown in FIGURES 4, 6, 7 and are each shown in the form of a single-ply strap member. Also, the other forms of check strap disclosed herein may be equipped with a stiffener strap, such as strap 53, if desired.

The third form of check strap construction shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 is quite similar to the second form shown in 'FIGURE 3. Accordingly, the parts shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 will bear the same reference characters as similar parts shown in FIGURE 3, with the letter b substituted for the letter a in FIGURES 4 and 5. Also, the check strap support shown in FIGURE 5 is quite similar to the check strap support shown in FIGURE 1, with the exception that the intermediate ears may be omitted. Therefore, the parts of the support shown in FIGURE 5 will bear the same reference characters as corresponding parts of the support shown in FIGURE 1, with the letter b added, in order to avoid repetitive description.

The third form of the invention differs from the previously described forms in that the strap member, of which check strap b is constructed, is double-ended. Thus, opposed reaches or body sections 36b, 37b are in the form of folds formed by folding opposed portions of the strap member laterally at a point intermediate its ends. Here again, it will be noted that body sections 36b, 37b are suitably interconnected in juxtaposition substantially throughout their length, preferably by a suitable adhesive.

Thus, the loop portion 41b is formed where the extensions of the body sections 36b, 37b are separated at the left-hand end of check strap construction 20b in FIGURES 4 and 5. The right-hand ends of the body sections 36b, 37b are also provided with extensions whose medial portions are separate, but whose opposed end portions are interconnected, as by rivets 55, to form lip portions or tabs 56, 57 which, in turn, form the loop '5 portion 40b. Suitable reinforcing sleeves or liners 42b, 43b may be adhesively or otherwise secured in the respective loop portions 40b, 41b.

The lip portions 56, 57 are preferably offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of check strap 20b so that, when the check strap 20b is mounted on check strap support 21b, as shown in FIGURE 5, the lip portions 56, 57 do not project directly rearwardly of the plane of support 21b. This may be desirable due to the fact that most looms are equipped with a motor or gear covers which might be engaged by such lips, if they were not projected as shown, during each rearward stroke of the lay of the loom. Of course, such lip portions may be alined with the body sections 36b, 37b of check strap 20b without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the particular illustration of FIGURES 4 and 5, it is apparent that the body section 37b and its respective extensions and lip portion 57 are, collectively, of greater length than body section 36b, its extensions and lip portion 56.

A feature is incorporated in the embodiment of FIG- URES 4 and 5 which may also be incorporated in the other forms of the improved check strap construction. This feature is embodied in one or more slits 58 (two in this instance) extending through the thickness of the body sections 36b, 37b. The slits 58 may be continuous for substantially the length of the check strap body (36b, 37b), with opposed ends of the slits 58 terminating short of the loop portions 40b, 41b, as shown, or they may be interrupted at a medial portion of said body.

Be that as it may, the slits 58 separate body (35b, 37b) into elongated relatively narrow, ductile bands a, b, 0, each of which may be stretched or moved relative to the others upon engagement thereof by the oscillating picker stick. This facilitates deformation of those parts or seats of the check strap which are engaged by the picker stick, so the seats of the check strap readily conform to the angularity of the picker stick during each checking action.

Referring to FIGURE 6, the fourth form of the improved check strap construction is shown, and the various parts thereof shall bear the same reference characters as similar parts associated with the first form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, with the letter c added to avoid repetitive description. It will be noted that the check strap 20c shown in FIGURE 6 is quite similar to the previously described forms of the check strap, to the extent that check strap 200 comprises elongated, flat, body sections 36c, 37c which are suitably interconnected substantially throughout the length thereof, and whose opposed ends are provided with extensions forming loops 40c, 41c. Suitable reinforcing sleeves or liners 42c, 430 may be adhesively or otherwise secured in the respective loops 40c, 410.

The loop portions 40c, 410 are formed somewhat different from the loop portions of the first two forms of the invention, but are formed in the same manner as the loop portion 40b in the third form of the invention shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. In other words, the body sections 360, 37c are formed of two independent strap members whose medial portions are secured together for a substantial length thereof. The extensions on opposite ends of body sections 360, 370 are separated to form the loops 40c, 41c and the end portions of the strap members are secured together in the form of respective pairs of tabs or lip portions 60, 61 and 62, 63 which may project laterally or longitudinally from the loop portions 400, 41c. The tabs 60, 61 and 62, 63 may be suitably secured together, as by respective rivets 64, 65.

FIGURES 7 and 8 show a fifth form of the improved check strap construction which, with the exception of being formed of a spirally wound pliable element or belt, is quite similar to the first form of the invention.

7 Therefore, those parts in FIGURES 7 and 8 which are similar to par-ts shown in FIGURE 2 will bear the same reference characters with the letter d added, to avoid repetitive description.

Referring to FIGURE 9, it will be noted that the fifth form of check strap 20d is formed of a plurality of coils or turns of a double-ended belt, the coils in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 being indicated at d through h. Adjacent coils may be secured together. However, it is preferred that all the coils remain intact or independent of the others. At least the free ends of coils d, h, however, are adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to the respective immediately adjacent coils e, g. With the coils thus formed, this results in the formation of an endless belt. The endless belt thus formed is folded at diametrically opposed points to position opposed runs thereof in juxtaposition, the runs thus forming the body sections 36d, 37d.

As is the case in the manufacture of the previously described forms of the invention, the body sections 36d, 37d are suitably secured together, in juxtaposition substantially throughout the length thereof. However, the body sections are provided with extensions which are spaced apart from each other and are interconnected (since they are integral with each other) at the extreme end portions of the check strap construction 20d, thus forming the respective end loops or loop portions 40d, 41d. Suitable reinforcing sleeves or liners 42d, 43d may be adhesively or otherwise secured in the loops 40d, 41d.

While the plies or body sections 36d, 37d are being secured together, adjacent coils dlz may be spaced apart from each other or they may be engaging each other as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. In either event, it is apparent that the portions of the coils forming loops 40a, 41d need not be separated, or they may be separated substantially in the same manner in which the loop segments 46, 47 and 50, 51 of the first form of the improved check strap may be separated at opposite sides of the respective slits 44, 45. It is apparent that sleeves 42d, 43d are split or separated to correspond with any separated portions of the coils forming loops 40d, 41d.

Thus, it is apparent that the check strap construction 2M of FIGURES 7 and 8 may be mounted on a check strap support of either of the types shown in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 5. As a matter of fact, the check strap support may be provided with as many as three or four intermediate ears between opposed upper and lower ears, such as those indicated at 23, 24, and 25, 26 in FIGURE 1, when the fifth form of check strap 20d is mounted on a corresponding check strap support. This increases the yieldability of the opposed end portions of the check strap construction and, therefore, the opposed seat portions which are engaged by the picker stick during oscillating movement thereof within the check strap, will readily conform to the angular attitude of the picker stick as it occupies either end of the limits of its strokes.

In FIGURES l and 11, a sixth form of the invention is shown which is quite similar to the fourth form of the invention and will bear the same reference characters, where applicable, with the letter e substituted for the letter b. The sixth form of the invention (FIGURES 10 and 11) differs from the third form of the invention (FIGURES 4 and in that the check strap 29a is provided with only one loop portion 402 at one end portion thereof.

The check strap 2% of FIGURES l0 and 11 is formed by folding a strip of pliable material, such as leather, fabric or combinations thereof, at a point intermediate its ends to form the two runs or body sections 362, 37e. These body sections are connected together, as by a suitable adhesive, through their lengths, including the endmost free edges thereof at the left-hand portion of FIG- URE 10. In other words, the body sections 362, 37e

are provided with extensions on only one end thereof to form loop 40e at the point at which the strip of pliable material is folded. Of course, as is the case in the preceding forms of the invention, loop portion 40c may be provided with a suitable reinforcing liner or sleeve 42s.

Now, the other or free end of check strap 202 is provided with a hole or slot 67 extending through the thickness thereof, which slot is adapted to be mounted on a different type of check strap support from those shown in FIGURES l and 5. As shown in FIGURE ll, the check strap support is provided with the cars such as those shown in the lower right-hand portion of FIGURE 5. Also, the body of the check strap support shown in FIGURE ll is substantially the same as the body of the check strap support shown in FIGURE 5 and, accordingly, where applicable, those parts shown in FIGURE 11 which are identical to or substantially the same as parts shown in FIGURE 5 will bear the same reference characters with the letter e" substituted for the letter b where applicable.

The check strap support in FIGURE 11 difiers from the check strap support of FIGURE 5 in that the lefthand or inner end of the support body 22e is provided with a substantially horizontally extending shaft or pin portion 70 which may or may not be integral with body 22e. In other words, the left-hand end or inner end of body 22a of FIGURE 11 is devoid of vertically spaced cars such as those indicated at 25b, 26b as shown in FIGURE 5.

When check strap 20e is mounted on check strap support 21e of FIGURE 11, it will be noted that loop portion 4tle is mounted on the pin 31e. On the other hand, the shaft portion 70 of check strap 21e loosely penetrates the hole 67 formed through the thickness of the free end portions of body sections 36c, 372. In order to prevent the free end portion of the body (36e, 37e) form sliding off the inner or free end of shaft portion 70 whenever the same is contacted by the moving picker stick, a suitable collar or other restraining means 71 may be adjustably or fixedly secured on the free end portion of shaft 71 It is thus seen that I have provided several embodiments of a novel check strap construction wherein two opposed strap-like body sections, of single or multi-ply construction, are adhesively or otherwise secured together either by an intervening strap portion, as shown in FIGURE 3, or by securing the proximal faces of the two body sections each directly to the other. Further, it is seen that the opposed ends of the body sections are provided with spaced apart extensions whose extreme distal end portions at opposed end portions of the check strap are interconnected, either by each being integral with the other or by being provided with tabs secured together by rivets or other suitable means as shown in those forms of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5, and 6.

This provides a check strap which may be readily assembled and mounted, requires relatively little storage space and will withstand the repeated impacts of the picker stick thereagainst without becoming worn to the extent that other check straps embodying separate loop members attached thereto will become worn. Also, due to the particular formation of the loop portions at opposed end portions of each check strap construction disclosed herein, instead of the fit between the pivot pins and the check straps becoming loose or sloppy with continued use of the check strap, these loop portions tend to tighten more snugly about the respective pivot pins as the check strap construction is in use. Also, these loop portions will readily conform to the relative attitudes of the opposed seat portions of the check strap when they extend at an angle upon repeated impacts by the picker stick.

Due to the yieldability of leather, fabric and similar components from which the check straps are normally constructed, even though the loop portions of the various types of check strap construction shown herein will fit rather snugly about the respective pivot pins, they will still rotate freely about the pivot pins so the check strap may be shifted, without binding, from one position to the other with oscillating movement of the picker stick through the check strap.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention'being defined in the claim.

I claim:

A check strap having opposed end portions adapted to be mounted on a loom for checking a picker stick, said check strap comprising an elongated pliable strap member including at least two plies of pliable strap material,

said plies being secured together for a substantial portion of their lengths to form respective body sections, said sections being provided with respective integral extensions on at least one end thereof, said extensions being relatively separated adjacent said body sections and being integral with each other remote from said body sections to thereby form a loop portion integral with said body sections at one of said end portions, and said loop portion being severed along at least one line longitudinally of the check strap thus separating said loop portion into at least two coaxial segments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 676,658 Mills June 18, 1901 1,417,557 Patterson May 30, 1922 2,322,685 Crocker June 22, 1943 2,533,646 Wakefield Dec. 12, 1950 

